Is there a
difference between qiyaam and taraaweeh?

Question

I wanted to know the difference between QIYYAM and TARAWIH.

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

Salaat al-Taraaweeh is classified as part of qiyaam al-layl; they
are not two different prayers, as many people think. Qiyaam al-layl during Ramadaan is
called Taraaweeh because the salaf or early generations of Islam (may Allaah have mercy on
them) used to rest (istaraahu) after every two or four rak’ahs, because they
made their prayers long in order to make the most of this season of great reward. They
were eager to earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth: “Whoever stays up and prays
at night in Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be
forgiven.”